currently this template tutorial is for the current release ( mambo 4.5.2 ) and will be updated accordingly( plans to do a div only (tableless) version next)

In this guide, we will be creating a 100% width 'autostretch' 3 column table layout. This will introduce you to the directory structure of a template, includes all copy/paste code snips for including the mambo specific elements in the template (module positions, mainbody, pathway, etc)

i also give specific instruction to use my dreamweaver template extension, but also you can optionally use the FREE plugin for HTML Kit, which is does the same job. Links are to be found in the tutorial.

^^for those who needs a quicker way to make a favicon without opening any .ico editor like microangelo, etc.

Q: WHAT IS FAVICON.ICO ??

A: A favicon (short for "Favorites icon"), also known as a page icon, is an icon associated with a particular website or webpage. A web designer can create such an icon, and many graphical web browsers—such as recent versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Safari, and Konqueror—can then make use of them. ...

Compass design has published a six part tutorial series about creating a valid xhtml/css joomla template . Starting from building the index.php the series offers a blank CSS file for download and shows how to build a 3 column joomla website with CSS.

Tutorial 1: Creating a W3C valid Joomla template for your Joomla websitewww.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/joomla ... plate.html
In this series of tutorials, we'll be building a valid joomla template. Joomla is an open source Content Management System (CMS) that is freely (literally) available and supported by a large on-line community. The site will actually be live on-line from the very beginning, you'll be able to see the different stages as the design develops. As this is a CSS designed site, you'll be able to slowly see the raw joomla design get styled step by step.

Tutorial 2: Installing Joomla, doctype and the blank joomla templatewww.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/joomla ... plate.html
In this tutorial we will look quickly at installing joomla and then spend most of our time discussing the joomla doctype and how it relates to a valid joomla site. We'll also briefly look at how to construct a basic or blank joomla template with the index.php file.

Tutorial 3:Free Web Design Toolswww.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/joomla ... tools.html
So we are about to begin design the site for real, but first we need a few tools. Now, everyone probably has their own favorites, but here is a list I have been working on of all the tools you will need to design a site. The good part? They are all free for the downloading.

Tutorial 4: A Blank Template CSS file for Joomla
http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... oomla.html
In an earlier tutorial, we discussed a slightly different design process. Instead of creating the design and then doing the CSS layout, we will be doing it the other way round, the Joomla CSS first. We are doing this because we want to make an blank CSS template file that can be reused by anyone.

Tutorial 5: Making a 3 column Joomla Theme for your joomla websitewww.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/joomla ... bsite.html
In this joomla tutorial, we will look at a 3 column theme for your joomla website. Most joomla websites use 3 columns and having the theme start with that is a good foundation. Then later we can hide side columns if there is no content in them for that page.

Tutorial 6: Enhancing a Template for Joomla SEOwww.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/joomla ... a-seo.html
So we have a very basic shell of a web site. Doesn't look very interesting does it. Well, we can soon change that, let's make a few changes. We will also optimize the template for SEO. Joomla has some challenges compared to a static website, but techniques such as those we describe here can improve your joomla SEO efforts.

If anyone wants to see a particular tutorial, drop me an email at contact[at]compassdesigns.net

Last edited by compass on Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

Whenever someone asks me about css I show them a few clicks at the csszengarden It's not specific to mambo/joomla but I don't think there is a better place to get an introduction to the power and flexibility of css and their css resources are amazing.

At the moment there is no appreciable difference between Mambo and Joomla in terms of template functionality.

Mambo, as stated by its policy document, will be reducing the functionality and customisability of template architecture in the medium to long term, supposedly to stop security issues (which seems more wild conjecture on Team Mambo's part from where I stand, but that's my opinion).. but that's hopefully a while off

Unpack your rar/zip file, and you should se a folder with the template name.
With an ftp programme, simply upload the template, to yoursite/templates, and in the backend of your site, assign the new template, or make it default.